Lang
12/12/20
With finals week starting Monday at the University of Iowa, the city of Iowa City has some tips for those leaving town over the holidays.
They recommend moving your car off the street. Vehicles parked on the street must be moved every 48-hours to avoid a citation. If you plan to be out of town for more than two days, move your vehicle off the street.
If a major snow storm hits while you are away, the City may declare a Snow Emergency, meaning cars will need to move off the street for snow plows. Vehicles that do not move will be ticketed and towed at the owner’s expense.
To learn more about Snow Emergencies in Iowa City, visit www.icgov.org/snow.
To avoid frozen pipes, the city recommends not turning off your heat completely, instead keeping it set to at least 55 degrees. Also close all windows, but keep doors open to rooms that contain plumbing.
Arrange for someone to clear your sidewalks of snow if it’s not done by a landlord or other third party. Sidewalks must be cleared of a one inch or greater snowfall within 24 hours after it has stopped falling. Snowy sidewalks can result in a $100 fine, plus the cost to clear the sidewalks.
Take a moment to ensure your home and belongings are locked, and ask someone to check on your home while you are away and show them where the water shut-off valve is located.